Sports writer with The Age

CARL Dilena, the former North Melbourne player and current board member, has taken over as the Kangaroos' chief executive officer.

Having sounded out former Football Federation Australia boss Ben Buckley and Geelong chief executive Brian Cook, the Kangaroos have eventually plumped for Dilena to replace Eugene Arocca, who quit in June after falling out with president James Brayshaw. Cam Vale had been interim chief executive but was told last month he would not be given the top role.

A former senior partner at KPMG, Dilena, 45, will begin in the new year. ''Carl has been a senior partner with one of the world's biggest professional services firms, played football at the highest level, has been a member of our board for the past five years and has chaired the club's finance and audit committee,'' Brayshaw said.

Dilena, who played 23 matches for Fitzroy and 10 for the Kangaroos, will remain on the Roos' board.